how to deal with an aggressive cat

Adding more territorial space can prevent cats from having to share climbing, hiding, and perching areas where fights can break out. Diffusing the Situation Do not make eye contact with the cat. These work from my experience. Back away from the cat slowly and then move its bed and toys to a quiet area in the home. You can then take the cat into your bedroom or bathroom. Frequent catfights are frustrating to pet owners and potentially dangerous to cats, sometimes even drawing blood. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. The two cats should be able to smell and hear each other through the closed door, but there should be no physical contact. This behavior can also be associated with past trauma. After many such sessions, it should be possible for them to be close to each other, without becoming defensive. Predatory aggression derives from cats whose predatory instincts are triggered. Approved. Most situations involving cat aggression are entirely manageable and result from fear, anxiety, lack of socialization or previously traumatic life experiences. This is espe… Do not approach an aggressive cat unless necessary; it's better to let the cat come to you. To pick the cat up, wrap it snugly in a towel to impede movement. Cats, especially ones that are feral, see … By using The Spruce Pets, you accept our, How to Solve Aggression Between Household Cats, How to Stop Cat Aggression After a Vet Visit, How to Properly Examine Your Cat's Teeth and Gums. Separating the aggressive cat from the other cat. You can also use cat videos. If so, you might worry about her safety, as potentially aggressive cats may roam your neighborhood. The most common is undersocializationa lack of pleasant experiences with other cats early in life. In cases where the problem cannot be adequately treated with medical care, euthanasia can be the kindest option. Felines reach social maturity at 2 to 4 years of age, and that's when many first, A lack of space predisposes cats to territorial disputes. Dealing with a bad “cat-itude” Every pet sitter has been—or will be—confronted with a hissing, growling irate feline. However, if a cat is habitually aggressive you may need to think about rehoming to a farm where its behavior can be redirected into hunting. He will also sometimes attack people's legs. Diffusers are more effective than sprays. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet. Cats tend to prefer consistency over change. If you try to rush the bonding process, then your cat will definitely be afraid of you. Then set the trap where you usually see the cat. There is a black cat that I've been feeding, but when I try to pet it, it hisses at me. Go back to the basics. The most important thing to keep in mind when dealing with territorial aggression is not to rush an introduction or reintroduction. It may not work for you, but it worked for me. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Territorial aggression can also happen after a move because the cat now has to establish a new territory. References There are steps you can take to calm the tension, but it's not a good idea to allow cats to "fight it out." Cats can show signs of aggression when they are suffering mental trauma. Provide your cat with a variety of toys they can bat around or “hunt,” or create an outdoor enclosure where your cat can be entertained and release energy. Put a bowl of food in it. Keep an aquarium with live fish can occupy your cat's attention, or position bird and squirrel feeders outside windows where your cat can observe animals coming and going during the day. They have five potential weapons (their teeth and all four clawed paws) compared to a dogs sole weapon of his or her mouth. If it's frightening and distracting enough, it's very likely that you'll see the cats running to hide. Is Feliway Effective in Modifying Cat Behavior? If you're old enough and living on your own, or if your parents don't mind, you could get a humane trap. However, if your cat has a tendency to become aggressive due to stress or nerves when faced with unknown situations, try to introduce him to things gradually. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. In certain cases, cat aggression toward other cats can stem from boredom. Call your local authorities or pest control to tame the aggressive cat. She was severely dehydrated and was taken care of the vet. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 223,583 times. Take shorter walks at first, and then slowly increase the amount of time you bring your cat out. When cat food turns your snuggle kitty into an attack cat, she may suffer from food aggression, a relatively uncommon type of cat aggression. What should be done? Then let the other cats in the home sniff around under the door. What should we do? In order to resolve your cat’s aggression, you’ll first need to find the … The cat is aggressive to the point of attacking other cats. Your vet can check your cat's health and rule out any health-related causes. Petting aggression is not well understood, and may come from over-stimulation. This article has been viewed 223,583 times. You can also give your cat several small meals a day to help manage predatory aggression, and reward your cat with food or treats for non-aggressive behavior. To be safe, make sure your cat always wears identification tags on her collar when walking outside. Unprovoked Aggression in Cats, Know How to Deal with a Violent Cat Behavior. This article has been viewed 223,583 times. There are several reasons that cats might not get along. Talk to your vet about how to handle this type of aggression. Pet stores sell products that mimic natural cat odor (humans can't smell it) and that can significantly reduce stress. For additional guide, below is a short video of how to deal with an aggressive cat: Therefore, if you want to help to calm your aggressive cat, you should give it some space. Aggression is not a diagnosis but a consequence of an emotional state, so, once it has been established as a problem for the owner, each individual case needs to be assessed by taking a thorough history of the cat, its environment, how the problem first started and how it has progressed. If your cat grew up as the only cat, with little or no contact with other felines, he may react strongly when hes finally introduced to another cat because hes afraid of the unknown, he lacks feline social skills, and he dislikes the disruption to his routine and environment. To build your cat's trust, find the cat's go-to treat and scatter some around the room during a play session. What should I do? Create at least one feeding station and one litter box location per cat. Hi there; in this article, I’ll be going to explore some interesting facts about how to deal with aggressive cat breeds. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Remember, that cats, despite their breed, should all be socialized correctly, offered a quality diet and adequate play time is order to prevent aggression in cats. Any type of aggression in cats can be dangerous to you or other pets. Increasing the number of toys, cat trees, litter boxes, and feeding stations reduced competition for resources. To be safe, make sure your cat always wears identification tags on her collar when walking outside. Let it know you're not there to hurt it. Leave your cat for a couple of minutes in a locked room. This may take some time for your cat to get used to. While it's not a cure, medication may be a tool that enables further training to work more effectively. For example, a cat whose tail was once caught in a door may be protective of its tail long after the pain is gone. It is true that some cat breeds tend to be more aggressive than others. This is not an overnight process—behavioral conditioning can take months. If your cat becomes aggressive, your first step should always be to visit your vet. Damage to the eyes from claws, and infections cause by bites and scratches may require emergency treatment. In this topic, we are going to talk about your cat and her aggression. Cats with this type of aggression can attack their owners violently. Now, I know how to train it properly. Loud noises can do the trick, but only if you're out of sight so you're not seen as a third aggressor in the fight. Just give the cat space. Some cats just wont give peace a chance. Dealing with Aggressive Cats. Preparing for an all-out attack by rolling onto side or back and exposing teeth and claws. Maternal aggression is the queen cat's instinctual protective response. Feline aggression—from hissing and growling to swatting, scratching, and biting—can be scary for pet owners, but it's usually normal cat behavior. If they must be in adjoining rooms, place a barrier at the bottom of the door. You can also try introducing the two cats in a room neither have been in before; this gets rid of the sense of any territorial issues and allows them to meet without either trying to defend his space. If a cat is naturally shy, then it will take time for it to come around. This rarely settles conflicts and usually makes matters worse. Having two aggressive cats is not fun. Distraction is a better approach to stopping a squabble between cats. Play aggression happens when cats take play too far. If your cat is only mildly aggressive and needs some exercise, going on leashed walks is a safe way to take your indoor cat on outdoor adventures. Once the aggressive cat walks away and is calm, reinforce its good behavior with a desirable treat, toy, or attention. Take shorter walks at first, and then slowly increase the amount of time you bring your cat o… For a truly aggressive cat you just need to be in the room, lying on the floor, eyes closed, with treats around you. Cats. Environmental changes, such as moving or rearranging cat furniture or feeding and litter box stations, can cause fights. Hopefully our discussion on the different types of cat aggression will help you to better understand your Cat. When all tactics have failed to stop two indoor cats from fighting, one cat may need to be placed in a new home or permanently segregated from the other. Simply reading while your cat is in the room will help build up trust. Do not physically punish your cat for rough play. If you do, your cat will be encouraged to direct his play at your hands. We are now in the UK. Other forms of aggression in cats include: territorial aggression, pain-induced aggression, status-induced aggression, territorial aggression, inter-cat aggression, and maternal aggression. Aggression is the second most common feline behavior problem seen by animal behaviorists. Acting like a victim by slinking around, using submissive ​body language, hiding, and so forth invites the bullies to increase their bluster. Cats usually display social standing with posturing and "bluffing" communication that doesn't result in injuries. A terrified cat will respond with body language that’s obvious to an … Treat the aggressive cats as though introducing them for the first time. It will NOT hurt the cat. Try pheromones to reduce tensions. If your cat is only mildly aggressive and needs some exercise, going on leashed walks is a safe way to take your indoor cat on outdoor adventures. If the cats won't eat or become aggressive, they are probably too close together. Try clapping your hands, banging on a pot, or throwing a large, soft object like a pillow near the cats. Don’t resume playing until your cat is calm if it bites or scratches you. Many cats can watch the same videotape for hours each day, tracking the animals’ movements, growling or chirruping and swatting at the screen. We adopted a stray cat as a baby - she went missing for a day. Cats can show signs of aggression when in pain. Don't run from your cat or try to block its movement with your feet. Long hours spent alone, without opportunities to play, and owners that encourage their cats to chase and play-attack people’s hands and feet contribute to play aggression. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Use cardboard boxes, paper shopping bags, packing paper and toys that encourage the cat to investigate. To avoid escalating the brawl, resist the temptation to break it up physically. But how can you avoid mealtime triggers? It sounds like they're not getting enough stimulation, which is often the reason cats lash out. If the cats eat without becoming aggressive, you can then try to bring the food bowls a little closer together each day. The average healthy cat adopted from a shelter is not aggressive and should not hurt you under normal circumstances. In that way, it won’t be such a big shock for him. Once the aggressive cat walks away and is calm, reinforce its good behavior with a desirable treat, toy, or attention. Even seasoned cat owners can be alarmed by aggressive cat behavior. Thankfully, there are many measures you can take to prevent your feline companion from getting into a fight with a neighboring or stray cat. Idiopathic aggression includes any type of aggression whose cause can’t be determined or explained through behavior history or medical exam. Are you dealing with an aggressive Ragdoll cat or an aggressive Bengal cat? She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Avoid rewarding poor behavior. By using our site, you agree to our. This gives your cat time to build the confidence to know you are not a threat. However, you should be extremely cautious about placing her in a new home; you don't want to pass your problem on to someone else. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/03\/Properly-Deal-With-an-Aggressive-Cat-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Properly-Deal-With-an-Aggressive-Cat-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/03\/Properly-Deal-With-an-Aggressive-Cat-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid701784-v4-728px-Properly-Deal-With-an-Aggressive-Cat-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"